Well-known member

Any political website would most certainly not be representative of the Irish population.

And of course, this website does contain many on the fringe of society's political views. We used to have an almost dominance of 'right-wing' ideologues, but that has certainly turned 180 and we now see a huge number of active posters very much on the left of things.

Sadly there are few moderates like me willing to proffer their views

Ireland interests are best secured within a more dynamic EU. Vote YES to Lisbon.

Member

I think the nature of an online discussion site is that it would be skewed towards those of a younger age group and/or those with sufficient free time to post their views here. So, thus I'd imagine PAYE workers and those in the older age category are grossly under-represented, and these would make up the bulk of the 80% of the population who vote for the two centrist parties, FF and FG.

Of what I can see, FF is by far the most under-represented, the site badly needs some more coherent FF posters. Returning Officer is OK, Defeated Romanticist is a little nuts.

FG is somewhat under-represented, but this is partially made up of some posters being prolific.

Labour posters would make up roughly 10% I'd say, so in line with the country.

There is a disproportionate amount of Greens, perhaps linked to their relative strength among students.

SF is well represented, again some of it's posters are prolific, Factual, Rock of Cashel (whatever happened to him?) etc

'Fringe Republicans' as you call them, and traditional Socialists are grossly over represented, I can't understand why, any opinions on their representation on this site? I suppose online discussion would attract a more 'activist' mindset.

The PDs are... ahem... over represented.

The rest - Libertas and the like are certainly punching above their weight. One would hope they'd fade away post-Lisbon.

Trolls - a dramatic increase in their number. One would imagine it is the same people re-registering over and over again. Some direction and moderation needed here.

Economic Left/Right: -3.13; Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.64
“University politics are so vicious, precisely because the stakes are so small.” Henry Kissinger

Member

YES.
60% of the population couldnt give a flying feck about politics. That same 60% want everything for nothing (my jacks bowl is cracked, must get the Corpo out to fix that) and constantly crib and cry no matter what combination of Partys are in Government. (Those lazy good for nothings should not count in any survey)
The rest of us, including many that engage in forums such as P.ie should take a bow for caring, be we supporters of FF, FG, Green, Sinn Fein, PD, SP, Independent Ballygarven Party, or even those monster loonies that live in the Party styled... Labour!! (Only kidding Eamonn)

Well-known member

Any political website would most certainly not be representative of the Irish population.

And of course, this website does contain many on the fringe of society's political views. We used to have an almost dominance of 'right-wing' ideologues, but that has certainly turned 180 and we now see a huge number of active posters very much on the left of things.

Active member

Any political website would most certainly not be representative of the Irish population.

And of course, this website does contain many on the fringe of society's political views. We used to have an almost dominance of 'right-wing' ideologues, but that has certainly turned 180 and we now see a huge number of active posters very much on the left of things.

Active member

The board removes the contrains people face in the 'real' world. Therefore people express views that they would probably keep to themselves or express views more bluntly than they might otherwise do and without face to face ocntact you lose all the nuances of eye contact and expressions. Therefore people might come across as more 'nutter' than they actually are in reality.

You also get certain people who revert to childhood and tell tales to moderators.

Well-known member

The board removes the contrains people face in the 'real' world. Therefore people express views that they would probably keep to themselves or express views more bluntly than they might otherwise do and without face to face ocntact you lose all the nuances of eye contact and expressions. Therefore people might come across as more 'nutter' than they actually are in reality.

this is true of all internet activity.
i find the emails can be quite short and aggresive because there is no etiquette for internet correspondance.

I came accross a very old book last weekend; How to write a letter.
A simple thing you might think but there are so many ways to miscommunicate.

The internet has exploded accross the planet in such a short time that no etiquette has been able to keep up. I would like to see a certain standard of post on this site and a certain standard of reply.
I feel manners and tact can play a large part in enhancing the standard of communication on the site.

One poster always intrigues me; jmcc, who usually is not behind the door in taking the skin off my back, will always finish his posts with "regards, jmcc"
This simple addition to the post can take the sharp edge away from the content and promotes a certain respect for the poster because of the simple use of good manners, even with a political opponent.

Active member

The board removes the contrains people face in the 'real' world. Therefore people express views that they would probably keep to themselves or express views more bluntly than they might otherwise do and without face to face ocntact you lose all the nuances of eye contact and expressions. Therefore people might come across as more 'nutter' than they actually are in reality.

this is true of all internet activity.
i find the emails can be quite short and aggresive because there is no etiquette for internet correspondance.

I came accross a very old book last weekend; How to write a letter.
A simple thing you might think but there are so many ways to miscommunicate.

The internet has exploded accross the planet in such a short time that no etiquette has been able to keep up. I would like to see a certain standard of post on this site and a certain standard of reply.
I feel manners and tact can play a large part in enhancing the standard of communication on the site.

One poster always intrigues me; jmcc, who usually is not behind the door in taking the skin off my back, will always finish his posts with "regards, jmcc"
This simple addition to the post can take the sharp edge away from the content and promotes a certain respect for the poster because of the simple use of good manners, even with a political opponent.

But how many adults today teach their children how to eat properly, sit up straight, clean their shoes in te morning etc and how many adults even know how to write properly never mind well enough to send a letter.

I doubt even in business many people who routinely send letters know, if you address a letter 'Dear Sir/Madam' then you should sign it 'Yours faithfully' .

Also, in Dublin in particular how many parents do nothing to prevent their children getting a rough Dublin accent. My eldest nieces have the worst Dublin accent you can imagine despite meeting very ABC1 demographic and yet my nephews have perfect grammar. Same family, same background, different siblings and different attituedes to their children and their children's nurturing.

I think I hold my tongue on here pretty well despite gaining a rep as a far right wing blueshirt although sometimes I do wish I had just ignored certain people.